NSS annual conference to bring
together pioneering leaders during the 'Summer of Space'

WASHINGTON, DC - National Space Society Executive Director
George Whitesides issued the following statement on two historic
events. First, the news that Burt Rutan's recently-licensed vehicle
SpaceShipOne, piloted by Mike Melvill, had reached an altitude of
over 40 miles during its third powered flight on May 14, 2004.
Second, the news that an amateur, unmanned rocket built by the
Civilian Space eXploration Team had actually surpassed the edge of
space on Monday, May 17, defined internationally as 100 kilometers
or 62 miles high.

"Another amazing week in the Summer of Space! NSS members
congratulate Ky Michaelson and the entire CSXT team for being the
first amateur group to reach and exceed the edge of space. We look
forward to the next flight of Burt Rutan's vehicle, which may mark
the start of real X-PRIZE competition."

"The two flights demonstrate that small disciplined groups are
capable of safely flying powerful rocket-powered vehicles. They
also clearly demonstrate the private potential that can be tapped
to help accomplish the new Vision for Space Exploration."

"NSS is proud to support these historic efforts by working
towards a legal and regulatory environment that enables such
American innovation to thrive. Over the past year, NSS has
supported both amateur rocketry and suborbital spaceflight on
Capitol Hill, and those efforts are now paying off."

These flights will be a major focus at NSS' annual convention,
the International Space Development Conference, to be held in
Oklahoma City next week. Leaders from all sectors of the new world
of space will convene to plan the next phase in this historic
period.

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The National Space Society (NSS) is an independent,
international, grassroots organization dedicated to the creation of
a spacefaring civilization. NSS has more than 20,000 supporters and
50 chapters in the United States and around the world. Founded in
1974, NSS is widely acknowledged as the preeminent citizens voice
on space.

The International Space Development Conference (ISDC) will bring
together leaders from all areas of the new world of space,
including Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, Courtney Stadd, Rick
Tumlinson, and Dr. Robert Zubrin. It will be held May 27-31 in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information, visit the conference
homepage: www.isdc2004.org.

For More Information:
George Whitesides
Executive Director
(202) 429-1600george@nss.org